Thursday Thriller – Tower

Those words sat like an anchor in the pit of Calla’s stomach because she knew how true they were. The result of years of lies, stealing from her family and her friends to feed her lengthy addiction, the blackness that had possessed her mind and body for more than a decade. Everyone had cut her off. Even her mother, who no longer took her calls, who pulled the blinds closed when her daughter’s car came up the drive. She was completely alone. And he knew. He’d been watching.

She’d awoken in a locked bedroom, where she’d remained for hours. There was a huge four poster bed with an ornate carving in the mahogany headboard. A family crest. The bed was laden with a thick rich purple duvet with gold stitching. A dress from another time, scarlet red with a tight bodice, puffed sleeves and full skirt was lying across the bed, with a note, commanding her to put it on. There was a window directly across from the bed, bolted shut. She could see no signs of life outside. Just a neglected garden, overrun with weeds, a white van parked in the bushes. Screaming would do her no good.

There was also a bookshelf in the corner, stocked with all of her favorites, even a connecting bathroom with a luxurious vanity and whirlpool bath. He wanted her to be comfortable, locked away, waiting for whatever he had planned.

The locks clicked open. The knob began to turn. Calla slowly backed away until she was pressed against the wall, feeling foolish and frightened. There was nowhere to run. The man stepped inside, dressed in formal attire – all black, a well-tailored suit. His face was covered with a white mask, but she could see his eyes were steely and blue.

“Why aren’t you dressed?” His baritone voice was cold, even-toned as he stepped closer.

She wanted to cower but she stood tall, her eyes meeting his. “I won’t do what you ask. I’m not playing this…this…game…whatever it is…just so you can kill me…” The blow seemed to come out of nowhere. His fist was a blur, barreling into the side of her head with a force that made her dizzy. She crumpled to the floor, blood trickling down the side of her head to the carpet, as he leaned over to whisper into her ear.

“You will do everything that I ask!” He stood, straightening his jacket. “Clean yourself up. Get dressed.”

The door slammed behind him. Calla curled up into a ball, making herself as tiny as possible. Though she knew no one was listening, she screamed.